CME Group to Launch 24/7 Crypto Futures Trading by Early 2026

Global derivatives giant CME Group is preparing a major move that could reshape the landscape of digital asset trading. The company plans to launch 24-hour, seven-day-a-week (24/7) crypto futures and options trading in early 2026, pending regulatory approval. This initiative marks a significant milestone in bridging traditional finance (TradFi) with the continuously operating crypto ecosystem.

Responding to Growing Market Demand

In its official statement, CME said the initiative was driven by strong demand from institutional clients who seek the ability to manage risk at any time, given that the crypto market operates without pause.

Tim McCourt, Global Head of Equities, FX, and Alternative Products at CME Group, explained that traditional markets need to adapt to the characteristics of digital assets in order to offer greater flexibility and confidence to investors.

“Investors require access that aligns with the 24-hour dynamics of the crypto market. We aim to provide an efficient and reliable system within a regulated framework,” said McCourt, as quoted by CoinDesk and Brave New Coin.

Operational System: Nonstop Trading via CME Globex

CME plans to operate continuous trading through its CME Globex platform, with a two-hour maintenance window every weekend.
Although trading will be available during weekends and holidays, the trade date will continue to follow the next business day, while clearing, settlement, and reporting will remain aligned with regular business schedules.

This approach is expected to provide a seamless trading experience similar to the global crypto spot market, while maintaining compliance with strict regulatory standards.

CME’s Crypto Derivatives Volume Continues to Surge

The decision to expand trading hours comes amid rapid growth in CME’s crypto derivatives segment.
As of September 2025, open interest had reached US$39 billion, while the average daily trading volume rose 230% compared to the same period a year earlier.

Institutional participation has also grown significantly, with more than 1,010 large open interest holders in CME’s crypto derivatives products — a strong indicator of rising professional interest in digital assets within a regulated environment.

Structural Impact: The Disappearance of the “CME Gap”

One of the most notable implications, according to analysts, is the potential disappearance of the so-called “CME gap” — a price discrepancy that typically appears when the global crypto spot market remains active while CME is closed.

With 24/7 trading, price movements between institutional derivatives markets and global spot markets are expected to become more synchronized, reducing liquidity imbalances across exchanges.

Reports from CryptoSlate and Brave New Coin suggest that this change could enhance price discovery efficiency and reduce short-term volatility often caused by trading schedule differences.

Key Challenge: Regulatory Approval Remains Crucial

Despite its promising outlook, the ambitious plan still awaits approval from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the U.S. derivatives market regulator. The political climate in Washington — complicated by partial government shutdowns — adds an additional layer of uncertainty to the approval process. Analysts view regulatory clearance as the decisive factor in determining whether CME will become the first crypto derivatives exchange to operate fully around the clock, potentially setting a new precedent for the integration of global financial systems and digital assets.

A Major Step Toward a Timeless Financial Era

If executed as planned, CME Group’s launch of 24/7 crypto futures and options trading will mark a pivotal moment in the modernization of traditional finance. The policy underscores the exchange’s commitment to adapting to the inherently nonstop nature of the crypto market and strengthening institutional participation in a maturing digital asset class. With this model, CME could effectively bridge the gap between native crypto markets and institutional derivatives trading, fostering a more inclusive, efficient, and transparent global trading ecosystem.